Rock n Roll Consciousness
Thurston Moore · 2017
42 min · 5 tracks · alternative rock
A sprawling exploration of sound, merging avant-garde experimentation with meditative rock landscapes and layered guitar textures.
Top tracks — play these first
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Exalted Start here — This nearly twelve-minute opener sets the tone for the album, weaving intricate guitar lines with hypnotic rhythms that encapsulate its experimental ethos.
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Cusp — Blending serene melodies with dissonant undertones, this track exemplifies Moore's ability to balance chaos and tranquility within a single composition.
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Aphrodite — With its ethereal soundscapes and lyrical introspection, this track showcases Moore's lyrical depth while maintaining an immersive instrumental backdrop.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album's expansive structures and layered textures create a unique listening experience that rewards exploration.
What we noticed
- The album features extended tracks, with each piece averaging over six minutes, allowing for gradual development of themes and textures.
- Layered guitar work dominates the sound, often creating a dense wall of noise that contrasts with sparse vocal sections.
- The sequencing emphasizes a meditative flow, with transitions between tracks that feel fluid rather than abrupt.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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7/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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8/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- gradual build towards resolution
- immersive sonic exploration throughout
- lyrical introspection and depth
- steady pacing for focused listening
Maybe skip if you
- prefer quick, catchy tracks
- seek immediate gratification
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — The album features a departure into expansive, improvisational soundscapes.
- Themes
- ethereal memory· avant-garde exploration
- Career context
- In 2017, Thurston Moore released 'Rock n Roll Consciousness' as his third solo album following the dissolution of Sonic Youth in 2011. This record reflects a shift towards more expansive, improvisational structures, showcasing Moore's evolution as an artist unbound by traditional rock formats.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Sonic Youth· The Velvet Underground· Pavement
Tracklist
- 1 Exalted Start here 11:53
- 2 Cusp 6:33
- 3 Turn On 10:17
- 4 Smoke of Dreams 6:04
- 5 Aphrodite 8:07
If this landed
Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.
Ruins
Grouper
Explores ethereal soundscapes and introspective themes with a delicate, experimental approach.
The Seer
Swans
Shares a sprawling, avant-garde exploration of sound and emotional depth in its lengthy compositions.
When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?
Billie Eilish
Combines atmospheric production with introspective lyrics, creating an immersive listening experience.
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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